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“It barely even hurts,” he said. He took a step toward me, then another, until he wrapped me in a hug. “Thank you.”
For a second, I was too shocked to move. His much taller, warm body seared heat into mine. His embrace enveloped me and made me feel small in a...pleasant way. I awkwardly patted his back, and Walker pulled away. I didn’t understand.
He looked at me like I was his savior, though he’d gotten hurt because of me. I couldn’t bear it. I was the heir to my coven. I should’ve noticed the dark witches before they gained the upper hand.
“You’re lucky, you know,” I said, “to have survived such recklessness. You challenged dark witches, Walker! What is wrong with you?”
He threw his hands up.
“What else was I supposed to do?” he demanded.
“You could’ve ran!” I suggested.
“I bought us our only chance and you know it,” he said. “You would’ve already been hauled away, and I would be dead if I hadn’t. You just don’t want to admit that you actually needed my help.”
He was right, but I’d never let him know that.
“Whatever,” I said. “Try not to bring yourself to death’s door again. I might not bother saving you next time.”
Lie, lie, lie.
At least he wasn’t acting like I was a hero anymore.
“No one needs your help, human,” Ryder added. “You should listen to Frey.”
“Ryder,” I said, “shut up.”
Chapter Ten
Walker
“We should set up camp soon,” Ryder declared. His freaky eyes studied me. “Your charge isn’t looking too good, Freya.”
I glared at the werewolf. He was a real piece of work. For the last three hours, he’d heckled me about something I never imagined getting bullied for—my humanity.
“You know, fleabag,” I said, “you can just say you’re tired. No need to blame it on me.”
He growled. I was too tired to be frightened by it. Freya was right—I should stop challenging supernatural creatures. It wasn’t an easy habit to kick when we’d hiked for three hours uphill. My aching legs and tired muscles wore down my patience. I nearly slipped on another stray rock.
Plants were sparser on this mountain, where the sun barely shined. The hike was less forgiving than the last. The slope was steeper, and the ground was so hard, every step jarred my tired bones. At least I wasn’t dead.
Yet.
The sky was purple, and any second, the sun would dip behind the horizon. Already, the temperatures dropped. Ryder was right. He might have fur to keep him warm, but I would need a fire.
Freya’s skin was so pale, if she had black eyes, I would’ve thought she was a dark witch. Despite the cold air, sweat shined on her face. Her steps were sluggish, and her usually perfect posture was wilted. I wanted to ask if she was okay, but not after her fit earlier. Anything I said could set her off.
Witches really do be tripping.
Though she made it clear she only kept me alive for morality’s sake, I couldn’t help but worry about her. She’d saved my life, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
“It’s a good idea,” she said. “We’re on the outskirts of wolf territory. We’ll be safe.”
Of course she agrees with him.
For the past three hours, I’d been forced to listen to their endless banter. I had no idea how she got along with the guy. Maybe she bought into his supernatural superiority complex. Maybe she just liked the smile he kept flashing her.
“Don’t worry, Frey,” he said. “I’ll keep you safe.”
